Derk Mattocks was raised during a time when the fight for social justice was at its peak in the United States. Instead of shying away, he learned to challenge the circumstances and not let them dictate how he would live his life. Of course, Derk would say while he does not consider himself a fighter, there was something innate that led him to the top of a career field that was inaccessible to people of color during that Jim Crow period, a period meant to marginalize African Americans by denying them the right to vote, hold jobs, get an education or other opportunities. This was by no means an easy task, considering the opposition he faced trying to bring some normalcy in such a chaotic and dangerous environment in which he lived.

Reflecting on his childhood, Derk acknowledges that he would not be one-tenth of the man he is now if it were not for his schoolteachers and community role models. They were genuine, in their teaching, nurturing, caring, and preparing him for any path he chose to take. They taught him how and where to look, but left it up to him to assess and act on his findings. They taught him diligence. Derk firmly believes that for anyone to reach his or her greatest potential, he/she must first be opened to mentoring and insights that show them how to tackle and manage challenging situations. He attributes his ability to convert challenges into opportunities to his schooling and mentoring at Belgrade Elementary, Silverdale Elementary, and Georgetown High. His sincerest wish is to live his life with dignity and respect while gaining more wisdom in the process.